Dr Challenors High Scool

[Staceyrose5]

Hi, we are moving to Little Chalfont amd interested in my daughter going to DRCH, she's in Y4 so I have lots of time. My question is, we will be 1 mile from the school so is she likely to get in on distance amd will she still need to do the 11+? Thanks

Presumably you have read this: www.challonershigh.com/admissions/admissions-process

As it is a grammar school, won't she need to do the transfer test regardless of where you live?

Also this: www.challonershigh.com/userfiles/dchsmvc/documents/Admissions%20frequently%20asked%20questions%202020-2021.pdf

Which implies that if you meet the criteria and live in catchment you are likely to be offered a place based on previous years data.
However as your DD is only y4 you need to be aware that things can change over time.

Based on previous years then living a mile away from the school will be plenty close enough.

It’s a full grammar school. Every child who goes there needs to sit and pass the 11+ to get a place.

You might be getting confused with schools like Clement Danes and Parmiters in Herts which have some selective places but also some standard places based purely on distance to the school.

Thanks, yes we currently live in Herts so it seems the process is different for Bucks. I've read only 30% pass the 11+ in Bucks so slim chances of getting in even if we live close. It looks like the second option would be Amersham School but the reviews don't look good for that school

I have friends with children at Amersham School and it’s a brilliant school. One of the best secondary moderns in Bucks. Don’t forget you can’t compare results against the comprehensives in Herts as they are all ability. Amersham is missing more of those really bright children as they are at the grammars.

Children who were above average at primary but don’t make the grade at 11+ actually do very well at schools like Amersham as all of a sudden they are in top sets and find it very motivating.

I too think the Amersham School is very good. The 11 plus pass rate in Bucks isn’t 30 per cent everywhere but Little Chalfont always was an area with lots of bright DC. You will have a big problem getting into any primary you like in that area though. The best ones are perennially full and a few proves my won’t get anywhere near 30% through to grammar schools. So do your homework on which primary schools you might get offered if you are moving.

Another shout out here for Amersham School. I used to live in one of the Chalfonts and a lot of pupils each year would apply to Amersham School as their first choice ahead of the Chalfonts Community College. I have friends whose children are doing very well there. I second what PresentingPercy says though - you may find it very hard to get a place at the primary school of your choice. A good friend lives at the “wrong end” of Little Chalfont, so in spite of actually living in the village her children are/were at a primary school outside the village. Even if you are in catchment, finding an available space could be tricky.

Little Chalfont Primary school has always been sought after and full! Moving into the area often results in DC not being at LCPS. The school between LC and Amersham is not sought after but nearly everywhere else in any direction is usually full. So it’s often a case of travelling from the area. Or looking at where girls live who get into DCHS and making sure you live in the right area for that. Choosing a primary school and getting into it are two different things!

As others have said, Bucks is a grammar school system. All children take 11+ (unless they choose not to) and those who pass can choose a grammar school.

The catchment areas for grammar schools are big. Living even 10-20 miles away is often not a problem. Being on the doorstep is handy, but the main barrier to entry is passing the 11+, not distance to the school.

Sounds like primary school places are harder to come by. Good luck

In 2020, not a single Bucks grammar offered places to applicants anywhere near 15-20 miles away. Aylesbury Grammar offered to 14 miles away. Several were 9-11 miles but Dr Challoners High offered offered to some in catchment up to 6.489 miles. Hardly 20. Not even all of catchment. So always look at what actually happens instead of assuming a large catchment means all living in it get offers. They don’t. DCHS offered no places to Hertfordshire residents.

Always live as close as possible to the school you are targeting but don’t forget the secondary schools. They frequently don’t offer far and wide either.

I stand corrected!

Amersham school is a fantastic school. It won awards for being in the top 20% nationally of all non selective schools for GCSEs (in 2019 so not covid year last year). This is against all the comprehensives who still have that 30% who might be in grammar school in Bucks. Quite an
achievement. Its online provision has also been fantastic, full timetable of online lessons from the start. Very low turnover of staff too.

Agreed but it’s catchment area and subsequent offers on distance are not very far. So it’s important where you live. From memory it was 3 miles!?